Jewish Studies gets $10 million gift from Althea Stroum

The Jewish Studies Program in the Jackson School of International Studies at the UW has received a commitment for a $10 million gift from prominent Seattle philanthropist, Althea Stroum. The gift will come from Althea and her late husband Sam Stroum, who died in 2001. Both have served for more than 60 years on numerous community and national boards to benefit the Jewish and larger communities. “They always planned to dedicate their estate to charitable causes, just as they’ve dedicated their lives,” said Althea’s daughter, Marsha.

Of the gift total, $2 million will fund the continuation of the existing Stroum lecture series and publication of the Stroum book series by the UW Press. Three million dollars will create new endowed chairs in the Jewish Studies Program, and $5 million will support scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as strategic program objectives.

“The Stroums have always contributed to this University from their hearts,” said David Hodge, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences where the Jewish Studies Program resides. “It’s been a magnificent reflection of their basic belief that the more you give away, the more you get back.”

“Samuel and Althea Stroum’s gifts to the University over the years have had a transformative effect, and this latest expression of their generosity will have a lasting impact on our Jewish Studies program,” said UW President Mark Emmert. “Sam also served as a Regent of the University for 13 years, contributing his time and effort to advance the University’s mission. We are very grateful to the Stroum family.”

Besides the Samuel and Althea Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies established by the Stroums in 1987, daughter and son-in-law Marsha and Jay Glazer have recently pledged a chair in Althea’s honor. In addition, the Stroum name appears frequently across the UW campus in places such as the Henry Art Gallery, athletics, medicine, business, and the Evans School of Public Affairs.

This latest commitment from Althea Stroum will rename the program The Samuel and Althea Stroum Jewish Studies Program at the University of Washington.